Paterno

I listen to three or four books a month, try to rate most of them but seldom write a review. This time I am obligated. Let's preface it all with stating I am a Penn State alumni. I bleed Blue & White. But it isn't because of a school known for football (and gymnastics and ice hockey and volleyball and wrestling), but, more importantly, because it is a great academic institution. Being Penn State proud I wanted to know the REAL, full story about JoePa. The author began and almost finished this biography before the Sandusky incident, but, as he explains, he could not write an honest biography without getting into all the circumstances surrounding that terrible issue. I am sure many of those who believed in Paterno will want to hear this story; but it is those who did not, or lost faith in this man, they need to hear the whole story. I will admit I cried more than once listening to how this coach dealt with many of the incidents of his life and his coaching career. This is a good book, a moving story, and an emotional ride.
And it would be remiss on my part to fail to mention the tremendous job Joe Montenga did in narrating this book. The texture of his voice, the empathy of his reading, was first rate.
Thank you Joe Posnanski for a most thorough story on the full life of Joe Paterno.

Finally, a presentation of Joe Paterno as a real person, not as some mythological hero or satanic supporter of a child molester. That seems to be all you read in the press or from social media. The Author is masterful in his ability to capture all the individuals and their frame of mind in context with the chronology of external events. How did he do that? Regardless of where you think you stand on the Penn State issue, this book is a MUST read!

A heartfelt thank you to the author. Now, as Paterno would have said himself, it really doesn't matter what the media or NCAA says, or how many statues they tear down, or how many records are re-written by NCAA in the hateful aftermath of Sandusky, the real record of who this man was is HERE! It makes me feel at peace, knowing that it has been written down.

Uhhh, Paterno!

FANTASTIC! His voice breaks at some points. It could be an act. But I don't think so. This book has some very emotional moments and Joe Mantegna does an excellent job of communicating that emotion - Bravo!

Wow! Many. But the Taliaferro section was especially moving. It really gets to the core of what Paterno was about. He personally took interest in his rehabilitation after the late 2000 injury. Interesting, too, that Paterno was concerned about this athlete during his recovery at just about the same time that Mcqueary was reporting the 2001 Sandusky abuse.

I wish we knew why it is so innate in human nature to tear down people who have simple and honest lives, like the Paternos. My Father admired Joe Paterno. But, not as a hero. Instead, just as a coach who maintained the standards of honesty, fair play, and hard work, similar to the same standards my Father grew up with, and helped him to survive WWII German pow camp. Now, seeing Joe Paterno treated the way he has been, really lowers my opinion of who we are, today. Granted the Sandusky abuses were horrific. But, we need to focus our punishment and vengeance more precisely, not causing so much collateral damage.

For anyone who has followed -- even casually -- the Penn State debacle, this book is a must read.

There is something extraordinary about Posnanski's book. He captures far more than fact; he captures raw emotion. The final section covering Paterno's fall, informed by all that precedes it in this text, was so painful I had trouble listening to it.

If "tragedy" is "a serious play in which the chief character, by some peculiarity of psychology, passes through a series of misfortunes leading to a final, devastating catastrophe," then Paterno is a tragedy of the first order.

Yes. There are so many bits of advice ("Paternoisms") I want to write down.

Insight into Joe's relationships with his family and how (for better and worse) he balanced home life with coaching football.

The imitations and voices.

The Adam Taliaferro story.

I really enjoyed this book. Well done all the way around!!! One of the best I have listened to!

I guess the end and his firing. I feel that Penn State officals were basically looking for a fall guy and Paterno was the logical choice.

I enjoyed the part where he turned down the New England Job! I feel this really show the type of man Paterno was and should be remembered for!

all of the stories from former players i enjoyed.

Great book!

No. I am ready to move on to other subjects

The memories of Xplayers..how JoeP affected their life.

no

When Penn State beat Miami

This book was written extremely well and the narrator was perfect, it was not drawn out it was right on target. Excellent job!!!

This is a well written, interesting, and even entertaining biography about a complex and difficult subject. Joe Posnanksi clearly did a great deal of excellent research and made great use of his access to Joe Paterno, his family and his associates. By the time the book was over, I felt I had a real sense for this man, his impact on others, his strenths, weaknesses, warts and all. The discussion of the Sandusky situation is the most honest and straight forward I have seen anywhere. Posnanski provides facts and analysis, and leaves opinion to the listener. Finally, Joe Mantegna's reading is absolutely masterful, which will not be surprise to those who have seen him act.

The way he approached coaching and developing young people into adults.

How Mr. Paterno did not follow his own teachings. It appears his dislike towards Sandusky clouded his understanding of the severity regarding the terrible acts.

Highly recommend

The tragic ending of Joe Paterno's life. You get to see every facet of the man, his family, his friends, his enemies during those crucial last months.

He put his acting chops to work using emotion in his voice when the scene called for it. He also read Paterno's quotes with Paterno's voice. GREAT, GREAT performance!

Joe Paterno's emotional reaction, the day after his firing.